1. What is Valium Half-Life?

Valium (diazepam) has a highly variable half-life ranging from 36 to 200 hours in adults, with an average of about 48 hours. The half-life is even longer in neonates, the elderly, and those with liver impairment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the half-life formula:

Where:

• Dose — Initial dose of Valium (mg)
• Time — Time since last dose (hours)
• Half-Life — Elimination half-life of Valium (hours)

Explanation: The equation shows how much drug remains in the body after a given time based on its elimination half-life.

3. Importance of Half-Life Calculation

Details: Understanding Valium's long half-life is crucial for determining dosing intervals, assessing accumulation risk, and understanding duration of effects and side effects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the estimated half-life (36-200 hours), the dose taken in mg, and time since last dose in hours. The calculator will show remaining drug amount and elimination percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is Valium's half-life so variable?
A: Diazepam is metabolized by the liver and its active metabolites also have long half-lives. Liver function, age, and other factors greatly influence elimination.

Q2: How long until Valium is completely eliminated?
A: Typically 5-6 half-lives (about 10-50 days) for complete elimination, though effects diminish before complete elimination.

Q3: Does Valium accumulate with repeated dosing?
A: Yes, due to its long half-life, Valium accumulates with daily dosing, reaching steady state in about 1-2 weeks.

Q4: How does age affect Valium half-life?
A: Half-life increases with age - approximately 20 hours in young adults, 90 hours in elderly (70+ years).

Q5: What about active metabolites?
A: This calculator doesn't account for active metabolites (like desmethyldiazepam) which have even longer half-lives (up to 200 hours).